Reverend Hale: The Most Dynamic Character

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Reverend Hale: The Most Dynamic Character Digging deep and truly analyzing The Crucible will lead to one discovering a certain depth to each character. No characters show as much of this depth as the Reverend John Hale. Going from crazed, eager witch-hunter to a logical, witch-skepticist, Hale’s character is one that differs from the rest of the townspeople. The evolution of his personality leads to the reader’s opinion of him drastically changing. In Act I, Hale is summoned by Parris who is afraid that his dear daughter Betty has been the victim of harsh witchcraft. His character is immediately displayed as a superstitious, strict, and bitter character who is eager to sniff out some witches. When told that Betty was found in the woods among dancing girls, Hale asks, “You allow dancing?” (Miller, 1280) This quote supports the strictness of his personality seeing as how he finds the act of dancing something that should be restricted. His actions ultimately lead to the witch hysteria in Salem increasing tenfold which is perfectly demonstrated by Tituba’s confession scene. After …show more content…
The reader’s opinion of the Reverend is likely to heavily differ in each half of the play. When first introduced to him, most readers likely find him to be one of the more despicable characters that deserves something awful to happen to them. Though once one starts to see his downfall and the humbleness that soon engulfs him, a more sympathetic feel is likely to occur. Watching Hale become defeated by the harsh punishments based off of lies truly makes the reader feel a genuine feeling of sorrow towards his pitiful state. Although this is the case, it is not easy for one to completely forgive everything that Hale has caused just because he sees the error in his ways. Despite the things he says and does in Acts III and IV, all of the events can be traced back to himself more than any of the other characters in the

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